PEOPLE PROFILES
KEVIN WATSON CITY ADMINISTRATOR
It would seem Kevin Watson, Vadnais Heights’ City Administrator since 2013, was destined for his career since before his birth. His father – his greatest inspiration –“ was a city manager all over the country, but in Texas and Montana mostly. I went to college in Oklahoma and graduate school in Kansas. Then, I worked in local government in Nevada and Oregon.”
Watson says his favorite feature of Vadnais Heights is the residents’ and business owners’ pride in the community:“ For a suburban community in a major metropolitan area, we have a strong identity. We have active citizens and volunteers who contribute so much of their time and effort to the community, and that really stands out for me.”
He enjoys implementing small and big changes in the City.“ Everything impacts someone or something in a different way, but it all works together for the benefit of the community,” he says.
The City project Watson’ s currently most excited about is the development of the Garceau Corner, at the intersection of Centerville Road and Edgerton Street.“ The Garceau Corner is the birthplace of the City of Vadnais Heights. All indications are the site is very attractive and will invite a high �������������������������������� modern apartment complex that will attract both millennials and baby boomers looking to downsize.”
Watson and his wife, an architect in Minneapolis, are relatively new parents of a son. They enjoy hiking, camping and golfing. Watson says,“ Living in Oregon for six years, I gained a tremendous appreciation for the outdoors and taking advantage of all it has to offer. I haven’ t visited the Boundary Waters yet, but it’ s on my‘ bucket list’ to get there soon.”
EILEEN SCHIRER FOUNDATION DIRECTOR
Eileen Schirer and her husband, Paul, moved to Vadnais Heights in 1978, a year after marrying, and raised their three children in the same home they still live in. Schirer, a director of the Vadnais Heights Lions Club and Vadnais Heights Lions Club Foundation, was – in essence – mentored for the position by her husband, a charter member when the club began in 1980.( The Foundation was established in 2013.)
A club member since 2009, Schirer is involved in every aspect of service the Lions provide to the Vadnais Heights’ community – especially the club’ s signature projects: the Annual Toy / Food / Funds Drive and Heritage Days. ��������������������������������������� have close to 70 members.“ One of my favorite sayings,” Schirer says,“ is‘ Many helping hands lighten the load.’ It certainly sums up how we work together in service. Some serve with the ideas and leadership of projects; others serve in getting the work done. No one person is credited for our projects.”
Still, one person sure can accomplish a great deal when she puts her mind to it. In 2012, Schirer was elected the first woman president of the Vadnais Heights’ club; since 2014, she’ s served as a trustee on the MN Lions Diabetes Foundation. She’ s been awarded a Melvin Jones Fellow and two Lions Clubs International( LCI) Presidents’ Certificates of Appreciation.( Melvin Jones founded the LCI in 1917.) In 2016, Schirer became the 2nd Vice District Governor of District 5M6( 43 clubs), and in 2018 she will become Governor of District 5M6.
You wouldn’ t think Schirer has time for other interests, but in her“ down time” she does enjoy being at their cabin up north, as well as golfing, fishing with her husband, traveling and working on“ the many small projects that pile up in my �������������������������������������‘ hall of lost projects.’“ vhedc. com 17